Review: Only Good Enemies (Galactic Bonds #2) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Only Good Enemies

Series: Galactic Bonds #2

Previous book in this series: Only Bad Options

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, fantasy

Publication date: July 18th 2023

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: A WOMAN ON A MISSION . . .

My name is Vesper Quill. I used to be a lowly lab rat, toiling away in obscurity developing brewmakers and other household appliances. But thanks to my seer magic and my own ingenuity, I’m now a Regal lady and the head of a successful corporation.

My mission? To destroy the Techwave, the dangerous group that has stolen my designs and plans to weaponize them against the Imperium. But when my mission takes an unexpected turn, I’m once again surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.

Further complicating matters is Kyrion Caldaren, an arrogant Regal lord whose fate is bound to mine. Kyrion doesn’t realize the two of us still have an unwanted connection that puts us both in grave danger . . . or does he?

A MAN SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES . . .

My name is Kyrion Caldaren. As the leader of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force, I’ve been tasked with tracking down and destroying the Techwave before they seize control of the Archipelago Galaxy.

My other mission? Find a way to assassinate Lord Callus Holloway, the Imperium ruler who wants to take my psion power for his own. Holloway is also a threat to Vesper Quill, who haunts my thoughts, despite the broken bond and distance between us.

When I realize Vesper is in danger, my priorities change, and I vow to use all my telepathic, telekinetic, and other abilities to help her. I will save Vesper from her enemies and mine—even if I have to burn down the whole bloody galaxy.

My rating: ★★★★★

I have been eagerly anticipating this book ever since I read Only Bad Options last year. As some of you may or may not know, I’ve been really into sci-fi lately—that is all I want to read these days, so this series came at a perfect time. Especially because it’s so good! This is Jennifer Estep’s first foray into the sci-fi genre, and she is doing it so well! Plus, she weaves fantasy elements into it and it made it that much better! It was so good! I can’t get over it!

One of my favorite things about Jennifer’s writing is that her characters always have some cool and interesting powers, and this book and series are no different. Vesper is a Seer and can see when something is not going right, whether it’s one of the appliances she created or a dangerous situation she suddenly found herself in. And Kyrion is a telekinetic and telepath. But what I like is that the characters always find some really interesting ways to use their abilities to get out of tough situations.

Another thing I loved about this book was the romance. The enemies-to-lovers, the slow-burn romance... I loved it all! The quips and the bickering between Vesper and Kyrion were so much fun! I loved it! Especially when their attraction for one another flared and they got all

And they tried to suppress those feelings because they thought it was the Truebond influencing their emotions, both of them unsure whether their feelings are their own. It was really heartbreaking to see them struggle through this, but it’s also very understandable. Imagine you find yourself in a similar circumstance, with a soulmates-like situation on your hands: are you attracted to this person because of this bond, or because of your own free will?

Kyrion and Vesper both struggle with this throughout the book, and I enjoyed following them on their journey as they parsed through their feelings and tried to live with the Truebond that was definitely not as severed as they were hoping at the end of the last book.

And on top of the Truebond and their feelings, they also have to contend with Holloway and him finding out about said Truebond and him inevitably feeding on them. It’s absolutely horrible what this man does! Kyrion has been trying to find a way to eliminate him but has not been successful thus far.

Another heartbreaking thing that Vesper had to deal with was her mother. Well, it was more frustrating and surprising, but it was also really sad because Nerezza cares about no one but herself. And we got a lot of Nerezza in this book—a lot of shocking things when it came to her. She and Vesper had a really tough conversation, Nerezza talking about her daughter like she was nothing but leverage to become a Regal. And when that didn’t work, she basically abandoned the child. And Nerezza obviously doesn’t know that Vesper is her daughter, but it was just so heartbreaking to see how cold she was. I’m interested to see where this plotline is going to go in the next book because the things that went down in this book were insane!

And I’m just looking forward to the next book in general. This book was SO good! The action and overall story were good and very engaging, the world was amazing, and the characters and their relationships were complex and interesting. I liked seeing Vesper and Kyrion’s relationship evolve as they navigated obstacles, and what it actually means to have a Truebond. I also loved seeing Kyrion’s softer, sweeter side when it came to Vesper. Zane and Asterin are two characters I’m very intrigued by. I loved Asterin and that she wasn’t just your average Regal. Zane is an Arrow and a sort of frenemy of Kyrion’s, but there’s more to the guy. And after that Epilogue, I need to know more! Luckily the next story in this series is a novella revolving around Zane, and I am very excited! I’m looking forward to seeing how all the plot twists we got in this book will play into the next one. I can’t wait!

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! 😊